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What do you call someone who loves frogs? A batrachophile. It's not a joke and the fact that frogs - an indicator of a healthy environment - across the world are in trouble is no laughing matter. In Australia, a number of species have mysteriously vanished and many more are in serious decline. November 1-7 is National Frog Week and to celebrate, the National Parks & Wildlife Service is holding two evening frog activities. Local frog enthusiast David Newell will introduce some of the regions fascinating frogs and offer suggestions on making your garden more frog friendly. The first is in Rummery Park, this Saturday, Nov 1, from 7.30pm, then next Friday, Nov 7, at Terania Creek from 7.30pm.

Bring a mug for a warm drink, a torch and a blanket or chair to sit on. If it rains, the frogs will love it, so come prepared.

Tea and coffee facilities will be supplied. Both events are free and bookings are not required.

Bill Hawkins from Goonellabah was involved in a major car accident in 1990 at the young age of 18, leaving him with a condition known as 'locked in syndrome', which means he cannot move his muscles independently.

To help maintain his level of fitness and assist him to fight off infections, Bill requires a daily exercise regime, and more volunteers are urgently needed to help out. The team of volunteers are a friendly bunch, and they would welcome any new helpers with open arms.

They're looking for people who can volunteer for two hours on a weekly, fortnightly or on-call basis, and no experience is necessary as training will be provided.

To get involved phone Sharon Holmes on 6624 7512.

Alstonville artist Glen Vause was the clear favourite at last Friday's opening of the Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize, where he won the $1000 Best in Show prize for his work Kalika (pictured), and both the first and second prize in the traditional painting category.

Glen's winning work is a stunning portrait of a young Nepalese girl, Kalika Debkota, who he met in Nayapal in 1990. Glen returned to Nepal in 1994 and 1998 to find Kalika and, in a romantic twist fit for a Hollywood script, he not only found the girl from his painting but also met the woman of his dreams, Mazida, who is still his wife today.

A long time painter, Glen was both surprised and delighted by the way his work was received.

"To win an award like this is really encouraging," Glen said after the Best in Show award was announced. "As an artist you measure your success by other people's reaction and tonight I've just been blown away by the reaction to my work. It really doesn't get much better than this."

Unbeknownst to Glen at the time, Kalika also won the $100 Echo Popular Choice Award.

Prizewinning artworks from the Coraki art prize will be on display at Armistead's Gallery, 43b Wyrallah Rd, Lismore, from next Wednesday, November 5. For more details see this week's back page.

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